Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses and methods for sensor blocking. In a number of embodiments, a method can include operating a sensor block of an apparatus in a first mode to allow a sensor to receive inputs, and operating the sensor block in a second mode to inhibit the sensor from receiving the inputs. A sensor block can be used to prevent a sensor, such as an image sensor, from receiving an input, such as a light source input, to capture image data. A sensor block can be used to prevent a sensor from capturing image data even when an application causing to the sensor to operate, such as when applications have access to the sensor, but the user of a device is unaware that an application is using the sensor. The sensor block can be used to prevent the sensor from capturing useful images and the sensor can only capture a black image of the sensor block and not the surroundings of the device.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
2. The method of claim 1, further including operating the sensor block in the first mode in response to receiving and authenticating recognition data.
3. The method of claim 1, further including operating the sensor block in the second mode in response to the apparatus lacking authenticated recognition data.
4. The method of claim 1, further including operating the sensor block in the first mode in response to the apparatus being in a particular location.
5. The method of claim 4, further including operating the sensor block in the second mode in response to the apparatus being in a location other than the particular location.
6. The method of claim 1, further including operating the sensor block in the first mode in response to a switch being a first position.
7. The method of claim 1, further including operating the sensor block in the first mode in response to a switch being a second position.
8. The method of claim 1, further including operating the sensor block in the first mode during a first predetermined time period selected by a user, including the user's work hours.
9. The method of claim 8, further including operating the sensor block in the second mode during a second predetermined time period selected by the user, including the user's vacation time.
11. The medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions to operate the sensor block in the first mode based on the first number of criteria comprising at least one criteria selected from the group consisting of: the apparatus receiving and authenticating recognition data, the apparatus being in a first particular location, a switch being in a first position, the inputs being provided during a first time period.
12. The medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions to operate the sensor block in the second mode based on the second number of criteria comprising at least one criteria selected from the group consisting of: the apparatus lacking authenticated recognition data, the apparatus being in a second particular location, a switch being in a second position, the inputs being provided during a second time period.
13. The medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions to operate the sensor block in the first mode where the number of polarizers allow light to pass through the number of polarizers unpolarized.
14. The medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions to operate the sensor block in the second mode where at least two of the number of polarizers polarize light that passes through the number of polarizers.
15. The medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions to provide a signal to the sensor block to operate in the first mode by inactivating the number of polarizers.
16. The medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions to provide a signal to the sensor block to operate in the second mode by activating the number of polarizers.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least two of the number of polarizers are activated when the sensor block is in the second mode.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the number of polarizers are inactive when the sensor block is in the first mode.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to operate in the first mode in response to receiving and authenticating recognition data.
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February 24, 2023
March 5, 2024
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